COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of February 10, 2017

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of February 10, 2017

Been in this office before: Always good when I enter a Congressional office and introduce myself thusly; ‘Hi. I represent police officers who don’t want to waste their time chasing a green plant, Willie Nelson, Snoop Dog – that kind of nonsense.’ This week and every week about 1 in 5 on the desk will respond with something like: ‘I remember you from last time.’ Does my heart good to hear that, it does. . (offering free samples once a month, when I have my fun day – probably helps too)

I also had two staffers stop me in the hallway. One had moved over to the Senate (promotion) and the other had become a lobbyist, after years as a Legislative Director. He was there to see an office on his issue.

My mentor, Eric Sterling, recommended a book in 2005 which I read: Tribes: in summary after X years learning the ropes, staffers fan out all over the federal bureaucracy and or become the lobbyists who go back to their colleagues and offices to move policies. It now occurs to me that my 3,500 presentations have done the same thing for drug reform…. I have created my own ‘tribe’ who still remember me and the issue years later… and it only takes a 15-minute chat. (okay the cowboy hat helps a bunch) Woohoo!!

Marijuana industry helps Trump ‘Make America Great Again:’ I presented to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday meeting. The topic was: Jobs, jobs, jobs. 123,000 to be exact. Thanks to Justin Strekin from NORML, I now know that the MJ industry employs about 120,000 spread over 28 states. I reported this number of good paying jobs (most are 15/hour for unskilled labor) is expected to double when CA, NV, ME and MA come on line next year along with workers in Florida’s MMJ industry. The MJ industry is doing its part to help America succeed!!

For any first-time reader of this letter: the 150 attendees for a presentation have millions of conservative members. One of our group is already working today in the WH (that I know of). Grover was summoned to the WH last week, as Trump wanted his input. Any pressure we can put on the administration to leave Colorado et al alone (muzzle Sessions) is my/our goal. And I cannot say too often that Grover is four-square on our side.

MJ – Uruguay Connection: I was invited to and attended a social event at the Uruguay embassy on Friday evening. A good time was had by all. It occurred to me that, if I had brought some MJ into the embassy (located in DC), it would still have been legal in the embassy, as they went legal/regulate about two years ago… No, no one lit up but I felt a solid sense of satisfaction. We are on the path to making the world a better place. (you probably know that once inside an embassy, it is legally the same as being in that country)

This week’s stats:

2307 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week
2 meetings

COP stats since inception: August 2009

25 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 0 this week
161 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 00 this week
139 interviews and reports in minor media = 00 this week.
72 Radio Interviews. 00 this week

205 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week

84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org